School starts in 13 days. It’s hard to believe how quickly the summer has passed! We are soaking up every last bit.

When Oshkosh B’gosh asked me to do a sponsored post and host a giveaway for their fun back-to-school clothes, I was excited because I’ve always been a fan. Plus, I have a teenager in the house now, so only two of my kids still let me dress them.

And I do a pretty good job, huh? Check out the cute items I got with the gift card OshKosh B’gosh sent me:

OshKosh B’gosh has your kids covered for Back to School styles! Dress them for success in OshKosh Original Graphic Tees for only $7 & $8 online and in-stores. The one-of-a-kind graphic tees are made with 100% cotton and are perfect for layering and transitioning from warm to cold weather. Each original tee design is hand-drawn and created by OshKosh designers. They come in a variety of colors and fun styles. OshKosh Originals are available in multiple sizes, including 3M-24M in the form of bodysuits for babies.Plus OshKosh B’gosh has the Back to School staple for your kids: Denim! At the lowest price of the season for a limited time, get the latest denim styles and washes that have extended sizes to make a perfect fit. I love their jeans because they have adjustable waists. B’gosh Blue Jeans are made for fun and built to last.

My little girl has been begging for a denim jacket like her big sis. It looks darling with her sequin school bus t-shirt and denim skirt:

For Girls:

She’ll greet everyone in style in sparkly tees including princess, jeweled up animals, and shopping graphics.

Walk the halls in style with “varsity group” girls tees that say she loves to cheer!

“Like” OshKosh B’gosh on Facebook, mention @OshKoshBgosh on Twitterand follow them on Pinterestfor outfitting ideas, vintage ads, deals and special events! Check to see if there’s a store near you.

Today, I’m giving away $100 to OshKosh to a lucky reader.Please tell me what your favorite tee is in the Back to School collection? If you’d like to earn an extra entry you can do the following (please leave an extra comment for each that you do):

(1 extra entry) Tweet the link to this post @wearethatfamily with hashtag #OshkoshB2S

(1 extra entry) Share this post on Facebook using hashtag @OshkoshB2S

(1 extra entry) Pin one of the above pictures on Pinterest with hashtag #OshkoshB2S

Disclosure StatementOshKosh B’gosh partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote Back to School Tees. As part of the program, I received product or gift cards. OshKosh B’gosh believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words, and therefore did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products I used. OshKosh B’gosh policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

When I was in Kenya in April, one of my main goals was to show the Mercy House skills teacher Debra a few new ideas for product.

When Debra finished the 8th grade, she didn’t have the opportunity to continue her education, so she got a job. She can make anything and has taught all of our girls how sew, bead, create jewelry and art. She is so talented that all I have to do is hand her a sample and she takes it apart and remakes it, teaching herself and then the girls.

While fabric options are limited, we scoured the city one rainy day to scout out cute material for new aprons and makeup brush bags. My photographer friend Suzanne (who can also sew) taught Debra a couple of new patterns and will you just look at this:

All the aprons (this is one of four designs we will sell over the next 9 months) and makeup brush bags, have a special tag:

And if this Freeset bag doesn’t want to make you love mercy, nothing will! Purchasing this bag not only benefits Mercy House, it provides jobs for women set free from sex trafficking in India. It’s a win-win. Check it out here:

I was able to show Debra and the girls this lovely new 3-strand necklace design.

By now, y’all have all heard of Stitch Fix, right? It might be my favorite mail ever. I wrote about my first fix here. Since, I’ve received 3 more. I thought I’d share an update. I usually keep a little something from my box and it’s generally a piece of clothing I WOULD NEVER CHOOSE. And that’s exactly why I love it: the clothes are Stylist approved….the only thing in my life which falls into that category.

Here’s what I’ve kept:

1. This airy red flutter blouse is something I would never have tried on. I love the ruffles on the sleeves. It has tiny blue anchors on the print.

2. Again, I would have never chosen this peacock print top, but it’s one of my favorites. I love the tie at the front.

3. I love how tall this dress makes me look (feel). At 5’2, I don’t even try on maxi dresses. I’m glad Stitch Fix didn’t know that! I can’t wait to wear it to the beach with my hubby in a couple of weeks.

4. Chevron is the latest rage and this is my first time to wear it. I like the asymmetrical hem and it looks awesome with Mercy House beads.

5. This super cute, new favorite soft white top is so feminine. I love the lace on the back. I’m a jeans kind of girl and this is something I would have picked out! I love this top.

While the clothes cost more than I would normally spend, even after choosing the cheapest option they have (most of the above items were around $38), it’s all I’m buying these days. I typically grab clothes on the Target clearance rack and when I get home I realize my clearance top doesn’t match anything or it doesn’t hold up well. And now, I have no desire to shop for clothes because I know Stitch Fix is coming!

Even though you have to make a quick stitch decision (3 days to return the box), there’s free shipping and you don’t have to go to the store with your three kids to try on clothes.

I love that I can try on the items in the box (5 things come in every box, sometimes one item is jewelry) with clothes from my closet.

It’s so easy and time-saving! I don’t ever have to go to the mall again (!!), but don’t tell my teen daughter that. It cost $20 a month to get your fix on, but that amount is deducted from your box.

Stitch Fix has an amazing referral program. They give you $25 credit for every person you tell! I’ll keep getting a stitch fix (at least until I run out of credit). They also offer gift cards. What a great, fun gift to give!

Each piece of clothing comes with a picture card on various ways to wear the shirt or dress, etc. I need all the help I can get.

Today, I’m giving away a $50 gift card for one lucky person. Leave a comment and tell me if you’ve ever tried it. You can sign up here (my referral link) and start getting your own referral credits by sharing it with your friends! P.S. Stitch Fix accommodates sizes 0-14. I hope they have plans for more sizes soon. Also, if you end up on the waiting list, don’t be discouraged. It’s usually a quick wait!

This is our first time away for more than an overnight from our children in nearly 19 years of marriage. {I need to squeal. Again.}

I was invited to speak at a wonderful new conference the same week and I had to say no (because a free trip to Hawaii trumps everything), but I wanted to share it with you.

The Declare Blogging Conference, is a place to equip women with encouragement, support & community as they seek to know God and make Him known. Dallas- August 9-10. I love the theme: one message, many voices.

Even though I can’t be there in body, Mercy House Kenya (among many others) will be there unveiling brand new shirts, totes and a free gift for every attendee.

My first job in high school was in a Hallmark, sorting cards and secretly reading every one of them.

I have an unhealthy love for paper and pencils and I read the Thesaurus FOR FUN.

My walls have signs and slogans and Scripture. I love words on pillows and t-shirts. I love reading books filled with words.

And most of all, I love writing words down.

Like this:

And this:

Words are powerful.

Mercy Ink is a sweet Etsy shop, and the story behind the words is awesome. Lauren Mills, is the ordinary gal behind the Mercy Ink shop + blog. Lauren and her husband, Adrian, a youth pastor, have been married for nearly eight years and have three littles at home, ages 2, 4, and 6. In January 2013, after waiting on the call for more than seven years, the Mills began the process of adopting from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Right now 100% of the shop profits benefit their adoption fund. [so thank you in advance for supporting this little family!]

Today, I’m giving away $50 to this great shop. Check it out and tell me which words speak to you.

HI! I'm Kristen. I'm here to encourage you as a wife and mom and remind you there's a little bit of THAT family in all of us. I write books, run Mercy House and try to remember I am third (God first, others second). I'm glad you're here.